Permission for 400 new Fontwell homes granted

The site, east of Fontwell Avenue opposite the racecourse, already has outline planning permission granted on appeal by an inspector back in 2017.

A reserved matters application, which sets out the detailed layout and design of development, was then submitted by for 400 homes, retail and community space, open space, play and sports facilities.

However Arun District Council’s development control committee had concerns about the scheme’s design and deferred making a decision back in June.

Revised plans were then submitted and these were supported by the committee last month and has now been given final approval by officers.

At that committee meeting, John Charles (Con, Barnham) said: “We have a much improved design and layout. I find this much, much improved and really something that’s much more acceptable and it looks like it now fits within that location.”

Officers described how the layout had been revised with the removal of flats over garages in parking courts, behind the houses and apartment blocks, which had little or no outdoor amenity space.

The depth of the gardens have also been reviewed to ensure minimum separation distances between habitable rooms in the interest of privacy.

Proposed cycle paths follow clear and legible routes through the site and are now a consistent width.

Parking provision has been reviewed and the overall number of spaces across the site increased from 913 to 925.

Cycle parking facilities have been added next to the community building and at the multi-use games area and play area.

Officers also felt each of the six character areas ‘now adopts a more distinctive design approach in both the buildings and the landscaping’.

There is also planting on the boundary with the employment site to the north west.

Officers concluded: “The applicants have made numerous changes to the scheme that was considered by the development control committee in June, leading to significant improvements in the design. There are some further refinements, which have been discussed and agreed between the applicants and officers.”